Matthew 9:10 Commentary and Bible Study

It is almost certain that Matthew had seen Christ before and knew about him. He shows his gratitude by inviting him to come to his house to eat. Luke says that Levi made a great feast, and Mark tells us they were dining in Levi’s house, the house that Matthew refers to. In fact he seems to provide food for all who were currently following Christ. He saw it is wholly appropriate that they should all be fed. They ate while reclining full length on couches beside the table. This is the meaning of the word ‘to lie prostrate ‘, which has specifically to do with eating. They had been invited by Levi back to his house together with a great many publicans, or tax collectors. Matthew held this final great dinner. Presumably these publicans, who were hated by most, formed a community among themselves, and many of them were to become disciples (Matthew 21:31). This was remarkable. It is believed that they were excluded from the synagogues, but here they found one who was willing to receive them, for Christ did not judge men by class or background, nor did he regard the prejudices of society. As a class, many of them had forfeited faith in order to be rich, and yet many listen to Christ with great eagerness. They heard him and they too were aware of the need of forgiveness. It was not that Christ regarded these men as righteous, even in comparison to the Pharisees and scribes, but there is a vast difference to him between a sinner who recognises that he’s a sinner, and a self-righteous sinner who justifies his sin. Christ in his illustration refers to these two parties as sinners and the righteous, that is, those who like the Pharisees are righteous in their own eyes. To him, this was the epitome of blindness – not to recognise one’s own sin.Christ did not disassociate himself from these men and women because of their sinfulness. How could he do so when he had come into the world to save sinners? Believers are commanded to separate themselves from fornicators, covetous, idolaters, railers, drunkards, and extortioners (as were the publicans), but only if such people claimed to be brothers in Christ and still to behave in this way. If Christ could not associate with such then how could he come into the world?But do not ‘evil communications corrupt good manners’ (1 Corinthians 15:33)? Yes they do. We are not safe to simply socialise with such, if we have no intention of winning them to Christ, but if our motive is evangelistic, then we will be protected by God. Even so, there are some places where it is not right for any Christian to go. There must at least be an opportunity for uncompromised witness. The attitude of Christ and of the Pharisees to these tax collectors and sinners was so different. To the Pharisee they were despised; he boosted himself by comparing himself with them. He needed them in a sense. He was glad they were sinners, because he was much better. He saw no hope for them, but felt it was right to leave them to perish. Christ however pitted them. He saw their need. Their sin grieved him as does all sin, but he saw how he could transform them.